Elastocaloric Effect in Shape-Memory Alloys

It is widely acknowledged that shape-memory alloys have an enormous potential for future developments of an environmentally friendly new solid-state refrigeration technology, thanks to their excellent elastocaloric properties. In the present review paper, after a brief summary of the historical milestones that have led to the present state-of-the-art of the subject of elastocaloric effect and materials, we develop its thermodynamic bases and review recent advances of the elastocaloric effect in non-magnetic and magnetic shape-memory alloys. We show that in this last family of alloys, multicaloric effects can occur induced by the combination of mechanical and magnetic fields and that this possibility might open new avenues for applications.